IS IT JUST ME?

[Loup-garou]

This ambiguity raises it's head with me every year about this time.

I love to see baby animals. Youngsters and babies of almost every species have an "aww cute" effect on me. But human babies ................. they leave me cold. In fact I know it's not just me, Herself is the same. To answer some possible questions, I have two offspring (one of each), I did not think they were particularly endearing when they were born and my opinion did not change much as they grew up. I really hate those people who think I might be remotely interested in babies of their line.

I know some people swoon or coo over babies; I just don't see it. Any home schooled psychiatrists out there?

[Hotrodder]

I am with you on almost every respect. I don't have offspring. I just don't see the fascination, this so-called "miracle of birth". The animals can do it instinctively without thinking. Even as a kid I always preferred the company of adults. From early adulthood I could see there would be no advantage in creating more people to have to cope with a world that was already heading down hill. Then I moved to England where it became obvious that money and education would be the key to getting ahead. Having very little of either one I decided to opt out of having kids I couldn't afford.

On a few occasions in mixed company cooing around a newborn I slowly back away to avoid "it" being handed to me to adore. I do have a proper soft spot for young animals and their innocence. On a trip out yesterday we spotted a newborn calf with its mother. Looked like it hadn't been on its feet for very long. Magic!

[Blaze]

@Loup-garou and @Hotrodder
Don't worry, you're far from being alone ! There are many of us who have never had the slightest desire to have children. When we were younger, there were the expectations of having grandchildren, veiled hints etc. until they eventually gave up thank goodness. When we first came to France and met new people, we were astonished at how often one of the first questions was "Do you have children ?". We accepted this as a different culture.
We've never felt we had to justify our choice to anyone any more than justifying my dislike of meat.

It is interesting the number of people we come across who say that much as they love their children, if they had their time over again, they wouldn't have them. One of the choices we have in life that can have far-reaching consequences, quite apart from the fact that children don't come with guarantees !

A baby animal is quite a different story .... I've delivered or seen hundreds of lambs being born and each one was special. So much nicer to watch than a squealing ET. Puppies, foals ... all baby animals seem to have the "cute" factor but baby humans have never had it for us.

[Sparkle]

Ditto to all said above.........love our animals and that's enough for us.

[demi]

I have to say that when meeting someone (of our ages) for the first time the question about having children or not strikes me as perfectly normal. No odder than asking what you do for a living.

I don't mind newborns (only mine was beautiful, however!!) but I do like small children a lot. So interesting to see themgrow and change.

[Pathca]

I always wanted grandchildren. Unfortunately I didn’t want the bit in the middle ! I am not a big fan of children ,small babies don’t interest me ,unless I have some involvement ie families or friends , as they get older they become more appealing but then they become teenagers with all that involves ( says she the police cadet leader)

[Polarengineer]

Blaze, I don’t know how you included me in this discussion?

[ajm]

We don't have any children either,but to all you naysayers if your parents had not had any kids you wouldn't be here to complain.

[Blaze]

@Polarengineer I've changed it - should have been Loup Garou !

but to all you naysayers if your parents had not any kids you wouldn't be here to complain

Complaining ? No, simply a life choice which we've never regretted.

[Pathca]

My parents had accepted they weren’t going to have children by the time I came along. They were pleased when I was on the way as they did want kids but would have made the best of life without